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Matthew Bryza: â€œMoscow declaration is the result emerged from significant work by all the co-chairsâ€ - EXCLUSIVE

Matthew Bryza: â€œMoscow declaration is the result emerged from significant work by all the co-chairsâ€ - <font color=red>EXCLUSIVE </font>

04 November 2008 09:19 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Victoria Dementyevaâ€“APA. OSCE Minsk Group American Co-chair Matthew Bryzaâ€™s interview with APA

-Could you give us your estimation according the declaration which was signed yesterday by presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia?

-Yesterday’s declaration is significant. The Presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia affirm their commitment to energize discussions
on a framework for a political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict on the basis of the Minsk Group’s ongoing efforts, including
the Basic Principles we have been discussing and developing for the past
3 years. The Co-Chairs needed this support from the two presidents to
help us all move the negotiations more quickly. After all, the
Co-Chairs are merely mediators; the Presidents make the decisions.

- How will the declaration influence on the process of solving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

-The declaration itself may have a positive impact on the
negotiations. What is even more important is that the declaration
reflects a positive mood between the two presidents, without which there
is no real chance to advance the negotiations

-There is an opinion that Russia took an initiative of mediating the conflict into its hands and the USA is not so activeâ€¦

-The U.S. is very active in working with its fellow Minsk Group
Co-Chairs and the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to advance the
negotiations. Sometimes our efforts are quiet; sometimes our efforts
are more visible. This past weekend, Russia decided to follow the path
of high visibility, and helped produce a useful declaration. But, the
result emerged from significant work by all the co-chairs.

-Have the co-chairs of Minsk Group any approved plan of solving the conflict?

-Of course the co-chairs have developed a concept of how to resolve
the conflict. That is what the Basic Principles are. The Co-Chair
countries presented the Co-Chairs’ recommendations for a framework
defined by the Basic Principles at last November’s OSCE Summit in
Madrid, in what is known as "the Madrid Document." It is important to
keep in mind that the Madrid Document outlines the Co-Chairs’
suggestions, which we expect will be improved and/or edited by the
leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan through direct negotiations.

- Have the co-chairs of Minsk Group confirmed the next meeting to continue the solving of the conflict?

- The co-chairs will visit the region in the next few weeks to meet
with the leaders and prepare for the OSCE Ministerial meeting in
Helsinki in early December. Through these consultations, we hope we can
help the parties agree when the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia
might again meet to build on current positive momentum.

- Do the co-chairs have plans to meet OSCE Chairman-in-Office Alexander Stubb to discuss the next steps of your activity?

- The co-chairs consult periodically with the OSCE Chairman in Office,
and will do so again soon. Personally speaking, I have the honor to
consult with Finnish FM Stubb on several issues. He has shown great
leadership as the Chairman in Office.